I am a junior and I am starting to prepare for my college auditions. I am planning on playing the Mozart sonata in a minor. The other songs that I am thinking of playing are Ginastera- Argentinian Dances, Liszt-Un sospiro, Debussy- Reflections in the water. Do these pieces sound like they would be acceptable for a college audition? I still need a Bach piece. Does anyone have any suggestions for one?

That seems quite fine for most college music departments/schools. On the other hand, a private conservatory typically has some pre-set audition requirements. Contact music departments at the schools you're thinking about, they'll be happy to give you the information you need. You should also work closely with your piano teacher. Finally, you should take care not to refer to pieces as songs --especially at your audition.

As for Bach, a prelude/fugue --or one of the French/English Suites or a Partita--should do nicely. A typical conservatory audition is usually fleshed out with a sonata by Mozart or Beethoven; a larger Romantic work (such as a Chopin scherzo, ballade or a few of the etudes) and, finally, something 20th century such as Prokovieff's Toccata --or the Debussy you've mentioned.

[ August 05, 2001: Message edited by: netizen ]

Sometimes there is a technique jury at a school, with an entrance requirement of playing scales and arpeggios at a certain metronome marking. If there is such a requirement, make sure to inquire about how many octaves are required for each scale or arpeggio (usually, it's four), and which forms of minor should be played (sometimes they want to hear pure and melodic in addition to harmonic minor and plain ol' major for each key--BLAAAAAAAH!).

Don't let this scare you--just find out! There could be a theory placement test, also.

[ August 05, 2001: Message edited by: MacDuff ]